Charlie Jacobs and Cassinja S.
Bromont, Quebec – August 8, 2015 – The International Ring at the Parc Équestre Bromont, host of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, was alive with excitement as athletes competed in Saturday’s Modified Grand Prix. Eight horse and rider combinations qualified for the jump-off, but it was Boston’s Charlie Jacobs that captured the winning honors with Cassinja S, out-racing Olympian Leslie Howard and Julia Madigan.
Madigan was the first to break the 35 second barrier in the jump-off, setting the pace to beat at a clear 32.57 seconds with Farfelu Du Printemps. Mario Deslauriers attempted to catch her time aboard Cherrypop, but fell just short with a clear round in 32.95 seconds.
Leslie Howard was out to take the win from the first jump with Balboa 6, leaving out a stride in the first rollback and racing to the final oxer. With all the rails intact they broke the beam at 31.10 seconds, but their leading time would not hold up for long.
Charlie Jacobs knew that he would not be able to leave a stride out in the first line, but he did race down the second line with Cassinja S, and the risk paid off. They stopped the clock at 30.79 seconds with a faultless effort to lead the victory gallop.
“To come here and have her run like she did, that big stride just eats up so much ground,” smiled Jacobs after his win. “I couldn’t be happier with her and she’s only 9, so I think she has better days ahead hopefully.”
This is Jacobs first time competing at International Bromont, and he has been very happy with the experience. “The venue looks fantastic to me,” he commented. “I was talking to Roger [Deslauriers] about all the improvements they plan to make for the WEG in 2018 and it sounds like it’s only going to get better. What a place!”
Sunday, Jacobs will compete in the CSI3* event’s major highlight, the Longines FEI World Cup. It marks the first qualifying event for the new North-American League. Starting at 2:30, equestrian sport fans will be able to view the event on FEITV.
Jacobs will be competing aboard Flaming Star, who just returned from Falsterbo, Sweden, where the talented gelding jumped double clear for the U.S. Show Jumping Team in the Nations Cup competition.
“There is a lot of pressure,” admitted Jacobs. “I want to go to Gothenburg and this is where it all starts. I am looking forward to it. There are some really nice horses here, but I am lucky to be sitting on one of them, so hopefully we will have a good day tomorrow.”
Francois Lamontagne and Vigo Massuere Master Gamblers Choice
In the afternoon, Quebec’s own Francois Lamontagne captured a victory in the International Ring, piloting Vigo Massuere to victory in the Gamblers Choice.
Kaila Robert set the pace to beat as only the second rider in the ring aboard Rojak, chasing down 730 points, as well as clearing the 200 point “joker fence” for a total score of 930. Halfway through the class though, Lamontagne was able to take over the lead with Vigo Massuere. The pair cleared 10 obstacles, all with point values of 90 or higher, and with the addition of a clear joker fence they earned a total of 1080 points.
Jerome David was the only other rider to earn more than 1000 points, finishing on 1030 with Cassano Z to place second. The final rider to tackle the track, Natasha Begin Fry, took over third place from Robert with Evening Rose, earning a total of 990 points, but it was Lamontagne taking home the top honors.
Lamontagne has been coming to International Bromont since he was 9 years old, and he was excited to have a win on such a special mount. “Vigo Massuere is only 6 years old, so I think it was a little crazy to do this class,” he noted. “But he’s so special and careful that I knew that it was not going to be a problem for him. He’s the easiest horse I’ve ever had.”
About International Bromont
International Bromont presents its fortieth anniversary edition at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park August 5 to 9, 2015. International Bromont would like to thank the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, as well as the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec for their support. General admission: $ 10 per person, free for children younger than 12 years old. Preferred admission: $25 per ticket.
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League
A total of 14 athletes from the new North American league will qualify for next year’s prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-28 March 2016.
The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US, and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico, will qualify for next year’s Final, alongside winners of 13 other leagues around the world.
Information:
Alexandra Hill, communications – International Bromont, T. 450-534-0787 | F. 450-525-2716
communications@internationalbromont.org